Ashley Alexander
@peachypotato.bsky.social
📤 203
📥 244
📝 6
Postdoctoral researcher University of Zurich Kümmerli Lab Microbiology, ecology, and evolution
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Steve Diggle
11 days ago
P. aeruginosa intrastrain diversity drastically changes its spatial organization in lung infections. OSA-deficient variants, common in CF/COPD, surprisingly led to larger bacterial aggregates in vivo.
#Microbiology
#CFResearch
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
loading . . .
Whole-tissue imaging reveals intrastrain diversity shapes the spatial organization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine infection model | mSphere
Intrastrain genetic and phenotypic diversity within Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations is common in chronic pulmonary infections. While this intrastrain heterogeneity is a hallmark of chronic infectio...
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00657-25
0
5
4
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Patrick R. Secor
11 days ago
Looking for a paid summer research experience? Apply to MSU’s Extreme Biofilms REU and work on cutting-edge biofilm science in extreme environments. No prior research experience needed.
#MicroSky
#PhageSky
0
6
12
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
11 days ago
Recent work from the lab showing how presence of O-antigen deficient Pseudomonas variants change aggregate assembly and microbiogeography of infection
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
loading . . .
Whole-tissue imaging reveals intrastrain diversity shapes the spatial organization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine infection model | mSphere
Intrastrain genetic and phenotypic diversity within Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations is common in chronic pulmonary infections. While this intrastrain heterogeneity is a hallmark of chronic infection, its consequences for the spatial organization of P. aeruginosa within the airways remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the loss of O-specific antigen in a subpopulation of P. aeruginosa significantly alters the spatial architecture of P. aeruginosa, without changing the total population size or composition. Using a combination of tissue clearing and hybridization chain reaction RNA-FISH in a murine lung infection model, we mapped the localization of genetically distinct P. aeruginosa variants in mixed populations in vivo. These findings reveal that genetic diversification within a strain can reshape the infection landscape at the micron scale, highlighting the overlooked role of intrastrain dynamics in shaping the microbiogeography of infections and influencing host-pathogen interactions.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00657-25
2
13
10
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Buzz Baum
11 days ago
Are you a long-time fan of Archaea, an extremophile-phile, or are you simply curious? Either way, we have good news. We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July. Sign up:
meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK. Please repost!
loading . . .
Molecular Biology of Archaea: Life Through the Prism of Archaea
In 1977, Woese and colleagues revealed Archaea as a distinct domain of life. Building on this insight, the discovery of Asgard archaea has strengthened the view that many hallmarks of eukaryotic cell…
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-archaea
2
76
52
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Basler Lab
about 1 month ago
Update to BacFighT6, with presets for easy exploration of complex behaviors:
sites.google.com/view/bacfight6
Try "battle royale" preset where prey (blue) produce capsule, attackers (red) move towards prey and feed on it, defenders (orange) retaliate! Took a while to eliminate the reds!
loading . . .
2
23
8
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Lori L. Burrows
3 months ago
New paper! Specific PilA and PilY1 sequences make PilU dispensable for T4P-dependent twitching motility in P. aeruginosa. However, most suppressors still had high cAMP levels from loss of PilU, showing that motility and surface sensing responses can be uncoupled.🧐 ⏩
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
loading . . .
Separation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV pilus-dependent twitching motility and surface-sensing responses | mBio
The ability of bacteria to sense and respond to contact with surfaces is important for triggering changes in secondary messenger levels and gene expression, leading to the formation of biofilms and in...
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.02521-25
0
8
3
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Ákos T Kovács
3 months ago
Metabolic interplay drives population cycles in a cross-feeding microbial community
@natcomms.nature.com
from
@oventurelli2.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
loading . . .
Metabolic interplay drives population cycles in a cross-feeding microbial community - Nature Communications
Here the authors leverage a crossfeeding, engineered microbial community to demonstrate that strain abundance cycles are robust across environmental conditions. They pair this with a nonlinear dynamic model to elucidate population cycles.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63986-y
0
38
20
rdcu.be/eI26z
loading . . .
The damage done
Nature Medicine - When clinical trials are suddenly halted by US funding cuts, there are repercussions for investigators and patients, and they do not stop at borders.
https://rdcu.be/eI26z
3 months ago
0
1
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Joshua Weitz
3 months ago
The Damage Done by
@marianneguenot.bsky.social
Now out in Nature Medicine, featuring analysis from
#GrantWitness
and
#SCIMaP
and impacts on grants, clinical trials, patients, discovery, collaboration, and careers.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
loading . . .
The damage done - Nature Medicine
When clinical trials are suddenly halted by US funding cuts, there are repercussions for investigators and patients, and they do not stop at borders.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03994-z
2
25
10
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Emma Carlson
6 months ago
The science was cutting edge, and the company was unparalleled- thank you everyone for such a welcoming and thrilling
#GRCMicroPop
! Looking forward to cyberstalking all your google scholar profiles ❤️
1
36
15
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Gina Lewin
6 months ago
Lovely time with new and old friends at microbiology population biology camp. Leaving with lots of new ideas (and lots of new bug bites)
@cbibberson.bsky.social
@peachypotato.bsky.social
@jamesgurney.bsky.social
2
18
3
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Teppo Hiltunen
6 months ago
My first GRC, but hopefully not the last one. One of the best meetings that I have ever attented
1
15
2
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Vaughn Cooper
7 months ago
Sharing the most significant work from my group, led by the
@evolvingstem.bsky.social
team. Come for the discoveries of how Pseudomonas adapts in biofilms, stay for the story of how they were discovered by thousands of young scientists in grades 9-12. 🧪🧫🧬🧵
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
loading . . .
Student-led experimental evolution reveals novel biofilm regulatory networks underlying adaptations to multiple niches
We established a research-education partnership known as EvolvingSTEM that provides secondary school students the opportunity to conduct authentic research experiments centered on microbial evolution....
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.06.658356v1
4
163
79
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Mark O. Martin
8 months ago
I have some slots avaiable for my
#MattersMicrobial
podcast (
www.microbe.tv/mm
) on the following dates: 6/26, 7/10, 7/17, 7/25, 7/31, 8/7, and 8/14. Holler by DM if you have suggestions or are interested? We will also be figuring out Fall soon, too. Appreciate EVERY
#MicrobialGuest
.
loading . . .
Matters Microbial - Microbial Centrism
Microbial Centrism
https://www.microbe.tv/mm
1
3
5
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Scott Galloway
9 months ago
Vaccines. 💪🏻💪🏻
add a skeleton here at some point
165
20517
4156
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Dr. Jennifer Glass (she/her)
9 months ago
Yes!!! Finally a university leader standing up publicly for what is right. No to anticipatory compliance. Thank you UMich Dean Carlos F. Jackson: may you be an inspirational for many others.
mailchi.mp/04bd06b0c03c...
loading . . .
DEI will Continue at the Stamps School
https://mailchi.mp/04bd06b0c03c/deans-email-for-march-28-2025?e=2797698bc9
13
807
235
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
STCmicrobeblog
9 months ago
who doesn't enjoy some beautiful FtsZ rings on a sunday evening? these from 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘴, from all angles, by the
@jwveening.bsky.social
, posted earlier on 𝕏, on may 6, 2021 Movie S2 from
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
#MicroSky
loading . . .
1
99
28
Proud to
#standupforscience
today!
10 months ago
1
11
0
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Richard Lenski
10 months ago
Happy 37th birthday to the LTEE!
the-ltee.org/history/
loading . . .
History – The Long-Term Evolution Experiment
https://the-ltee.org/history/
8
250
85
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Alissa Armstrong
10 months ago
Beyond thrilled - I’ve been awarded an NSF CAREER grant! I get to continue making scientific discoveries, training the next generation of researchers, & sharing knowledge about the scientific enterprise with the general public. This support is much needed, personally & professionally…let’s GOOO!!!
49
578
40
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Joshua Weitz
11 months ago
Thoughts what drastic research budget cuts mean for parents of students about to join/already in college, including (and especially) flagship public research-intensive universities in the US. Takeaway: Pay more for reduced training + opportunities.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
1
7
8
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Dave Baltrus 🦦
11 months ago
My Mom: “Dave, you seem down. What’s wrong” Me: “the guy you voted for is destroying the foundations of research and science in this country. Here’s some examples of how it’s directly affecting me…” Mom: “well…let’s talk about something else”
15
271
50
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
11 months ago
Fridays are “Fundays” at GSU Biology! This morning
@persisterbritt.bsky.social
gave an overview of her research plan at Bio for Breakfast!
@peachypotato.bsky.social
0
3
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
11 months ago
My grad students representing Biology at GSU Graduate symposium!
@joshlummus.bsky.social
and Hannah did great! Also we are finally all in a “group” photo!
@peachypotato.bsky.social
0
2
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Darby Saxbe
11 months ago
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
1281
27904
19482
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Vaughn Cooper
11 months ago
I'm incredibly honored by this opportunity to serve as President-Elect of
@asm.org
starting this summer. Looking forward to working with the Board, ASM leadership ,and staff to help advance the microbial sciences. I'm also glad to share my Vision statement, please join us!
asm.org/Press-Releas...
49
382
79
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Dr. Michael D. L. Johnson
11 months ago
I'm proud to be elected to the ASM BoD. It is an amazing opportunity to continue to do work that inspires others to do science, tells them how to get to the room, and how to take a seat at the table. If you are interested in my motivations, please read my candidate statement.
asm.org/Press-Releas...
loading . . .
ASM Announces New President-Elect and Leadership
A new President-Elect and members of ASM Board of Directors have been elected to ASM leadership. Terms for all new members of ASM’s leadership will begin July 1, 2025.
https://asm.org/Press-Releases/2025/January/ASM-Announces-New-President-Elect-and-Leadership?_zs=Q7lhm&_zl=stVD3
10
84
13
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
ASM
11 months ago
We’re thrilled to announce the election of Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D., as the new ASM President-Elect & the newly elected At-Large Board Directors Joanna Goldberg, Ph.D., & Michael Johnson, Ph.D. Congrats to our elected officers! Read more:
asm.social/2fU
@vscooper.micropopbio.org
@copperbae.bsky.social
6
108
33
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
about 1 year ago
This semester is over, we had lots of great speakers at Bio for Breakfast organized by
@peachypotato.bsky.social
and wonderful PhD cohort I got to teach with Dr. de Vries!
0
6
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Vaughn Cooper
about 1 year ago
This is an amazing resource, just searched my favorite genes and learned something new instantly 🤯
add a skeleton here at some point
0
40
11
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Patrick R. Secor
about 1 year ago
🚨We are also hiring a postdoc to work on our newly funded Lyme disease phage project at Montana State! Are you a spirochetologist interested in phage biology? Come work with us in beautiful Bozeman, MT! Apply here:
jobs.montana.edu/postings/43811
🧫🧪🦠
add a skeleton here at some point
0
26
21
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
James Gurney
about 1 year ago
My wonderful colleague Jainliang is looking for PostDocs and PhD candidates. He is doing very cool work and has already secured two major grants, so good chance the right person could spend a decent amount of time on the project. If you know anyone who is looking please put them in touch.
0
2
3
Excited to have a new preprint out today! Read all about the surprising amount of intraspecific diversity we found in CF sputum samples.
@vishnu-raghuram.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
loading . . .
Intraspecific Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Populations Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Infections
Chronic bacterial infections are often polymicrobial, comprising multiple bacterial species or variants of the same species. Because chronic infections may last for decades, they have the potential to...
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.16.623925v1
about 1 year ago
1
6
3
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
James Gurney
about 1 year ago
This morning
@sczerwinski.bsky.social
is presenting his recent pre print to bio for breakfast.
1
6
3
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
about 1 year ago
We are missing Yaneli in this photo, the only joint lab member between Azimi and
@jamesgurney.bsky.social
labs!
@peachypotato.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
0
6
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
over 1 year ago
Friday Bio for Breakfast is back at GSU Biology! So fun to hear about resurrecting ancient genes work in Eric Gaucher’s lab!
0
4
1
reposted by
Ashley Alexander
Sheyda Azimi
over 1 year ago
So proud of Ashley from our lab, for winning the best talk award at GSU annual postdoc symposium!
0
6
2
you reached the end!!
feeds!
log in